Activity

VOICE AND VOWEL EXERCISE

Number of participants

5 to 25 participants

Objectives

● To explore the voice and the nuances of vocal expression through vowel sounds.
● To encourage participants to let go of inhibitions and engage in non-verbal and alternative vocal exercises.

Where does the activity take place within the process

Beginning

Duration

20 minutes

Material needed

Preparation

Prepare the room/space so that it is as spacious as it can be, without obstacles.

Step by step description

1. Ask participants to form a circle.

2. Jaw Massage: Ask participants to gently massage their jaws, paying attention to how it feels when they open and close their jaws.

3. Vowel Sounds: Instruct participants to keep their jaws relaxed and down. Then ask them to release the jaw with the sound “ahhh” three times.

4. Encourage participants to make the “ahhh” sound louder with the letter “A,” then with the letter “E,” noticing the differences in vocal cords and mouth shape.

5. Repeat the same exercise with the letter “I”, “O” and then with “U.”

6. Vowel Names: In a circle ask participants to pronounce their names using only the vowel sounds (A, E, I,O,U). One by one, each participant repeats their name using only the vowel sounds.

7. Vowel Dialogue: Ask participants to engage in a dialogue using only vowel sounds. They must address other participants using their vowel names across the room and then the person called by their vowel name should call another person by their vowel name and so on until all participants have been called at least once.

Closing up

You can reflect jointly with the group on this exercise asking the following questions:

● How are you feeling now?
● What did this exercise make you feel?

Resources

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Comments / hints for facilitators

Be aware that this exercise can make participants feel uncomfortable because people are not used to making these kinds of sounds. Society often teaches us that our voices must convey understandable and meaningful words. Theatre allows us to use our voices in different, unconventional ways.